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Microsoft's Full House Poker rated in Australia
It looks like the super secret beta for Microsoft's next massively multiplayer Xbox Live title is going pretty well -- the Australian classification board recently gave a rating of G (for General!) to Full House Poker. If you'll recall, that's the title of the 1 vs. 100-inspired online card game which Microsoft invited select Gold subscribers to try out earlier this month. It's also the title of our favorite 90s family sitcom, with the word "Poker" appended to the end of it. The game's "G" rating in Australia is a little strange, considering the beta invitations sent out by Microsoft mentioned a Teen rating in the States, thanks to all the 'simulated gambling.' Maybe they don't have much of a problem with fake gambling in Australia? Or maybe they just have, like, really cool, Frank Sinatra-esque kids.
Cataclysm Beta: Arena Season 9 available for testing
Bashiok has just posted that the Cataclysm beta is now host to Arena Season 9. The developers are looking to test arena games and the bugs therein, as well as the much-lauded rated battlegrounds. Fire up those betas for some awesome PvP action. Bashiok -- Arena Season 9 Available for Testing Arena Season 9 is now running and available for testing in the Cataclysm beta. To help facilitate testing we'd like to ask that those interested in providing bug reports and feedback focus on playing arena games, but also participating in the rated battlegrounds. Please let us know if you find any issues or have any feedback. Thanks. source
iPad-equipped kegerator knows how much you've had to drink
Those wily engineers at Yelp have combined a scary amount of the things I love into one device. They've taken a keg and tap, an Arduino, an RFID reader, and an iPad and turned them into an amazing kegerator. The device not only tracks who's been drinking but also tracks information about the beer as it's poured, including the temperature and ratings of recently poured drinks (so you'll know when the keg is on a roll). They even put together a bookmarklet to monitor and track the keg remotely. And as if all of that wasn't enough, this was all designed during the Yelp Hackathon, which takes place over a 24-hour period. During that 24 hours, the company allows the engineering team to put together whatever they want. So yes, all of this was designed and assembled on official company time. OK, now you guys are just bragging. That's just unfair! [via Dvice]
OFLC rating outs Microsoft's 'Avatar Superstars Poker'
A recent rating from Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification reveals Microsoft Game Studios' upcoming take on table gaming, titled Avatar Superstars Poker. It sounds like an XBLA poker title with Avatar support -- a feature that was unable to be added to TikGames' 2006 XBLA title Texas Hold'Em, which led the studio to create an Xbox Live Indie poker title specifically to include playable Avatars. We've contacted Microsoft to find out more about the title, and what will set it apart from the other poker games already on the platform. For now, we're going to go update our Avatar to look exactly like John Malkovich wearing a track suit. Pardon us.
'Castlevania: Harmony of Despair' resurfaces in OFLC rating
An OFLC rating provides further evidence of the existence of Konami's rumored multiplayer XBLA Castlevania title, Harmony of Despair. The Australian ratings board now lists a rating for Harmony of Despair, specifying it as an "X-box" game. The listing also includes the caveat that the "Gaming experience may change online," suggesting online multiplayer is a feature of the game. While the rating information isn't a confirmation of the precise details we heard previously -- that Harmony of Despair is a side-scrolling "Metroidvania" for up to six players, featuring heroes from throughout the series -- it is confirmation that there is some kind of game with that name for Xbox 360; making any details we've heard that much more likely. [Via 1UP]
Report: 98 percent of Australians in support of R18+ rating
Australia's Federal Home Affairs group recently published a poll which may turn the heads on a few of the nation's governmental bodies. Out of the survey's 59,678 participants, 98.2 percent said they would support the oft-proposed addition of an R18+ rating for video games in the region. Of course, more than half of the participants in said poll were turned on to it by an in-store promotion at select Australian EB Games. A somewhat more balanced selection of special interest groups were also allowed to respond to the survey, and only 53 percent showed support for the mature rating. By our amateur calculations, the actual percentage of Australian citizens who support the rating falls somewhere between the two. How about 86.3 percent? It's a totally made-up number, but ... it just seems right, doesn't it?
Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project gets some from the ESRB
It would appear the side-scrolling shoot-em-up PC Gamer called "a blast" back in 2002, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, will eventually find its way onto Xbox Live Arcade. It's happening, right? Like, we've seen a couple ratings pop up for the game, so it's gotta be a done deal -- come on, will somebody just officially announce this already? The latest indication (and hopefully precursor to a real announcement) comes from the ESRB, which offers the listing you see above. Duke Nukem 3D creator 3D Realms, whose last project was Prey Invasion for the iPhone and iPod Touch back in June of 2009, is listed as the publisher on the potential XBLA title. We've sent in word to both 3D Realms and Microsoft for comment and will let you know what we hear back.
OFLC rates two new games by Chibi Robo, Art Style dev
Two mysterious new games from a known DSiWare developer have been rated by Australia's OFLC. Skip, creator of most of the Art Style games -- as well as Chibi-Robo! -- is named as the author of both Light Trax and Penta Tentacles, with Nintendo as publisher. Though no specific platform is named for either, Skip's recent output has been targeted entirely at the DS, with LOL and a Japan-only Chibi-Robo sequel released in addition to several DSiWare Art Style games. With all that evidence, we're guessing these two will be released on Game and Watch. [Via Siliconera]
More retailers sign on in support of R18+ rating in Australia
Most businesses enjoy exchanging goods and services for fungible assets, so it's not too shocking that Australian retailers are pulling for the nation to adopt an R18+ rating, which would cut down on the number of games the OFLC is forced to outright ban. Two retailers, GAME and Gametraders, recently spoke to GameSpot about their support of the new rating, and explained they'd be willing to adhere to surprisingly strict protocols in order to sell mature titles. Both parties agreed to keep R18+ games in a special section of the store, which would be restricted to youngsters. Also, they stated they would package mature games in blank cases, so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of nearby shoppers. That sounds a lot like that certain section of your local Blockbuster Video. You know, the one that only creeps go into? And occasionally, you see one of your old math teachers coming out of? And then you're forced into an awkward conversation with them while they desperately attempt to hide their naughty acquisition? [Via GamePolitics]
OFLC posts rating for Perfect Dark on XBLA
The Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification has posted a rating on its website for the long-awaited XBLA port of Rare's Perfect Dark, which would hint that a release is just around the corner. (Major Nelson did say that it would drop "this winter.") The OFLC gave the shooter an MA 15+ for "strong violence," the toughest rating they hand out for video games. If a release is imminent, now might be the perfect time to play through the 360 prequel, Perfect Dark Zero, and get further acquainted with Joanna Dark before you can revisit her debut adventure in high resolution.
MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game
MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family. We've talked before about different ways to sniff out if an MMO is a good choice for your kids. What we haven't covered yet are the indicators that a game may not be a good fit for your family. In light of the long hours of freedom stretching before our kids when school's out (and the fact that parental oversight is more likely to be lenient, if not downright indulgent, during the holidays), we decided some yellow-light signals might be in order. Being a gaming parent sometimes makes it tougher, not simpler, to choose the right games for kids. Constant exposure to gaming news and game names can give us a false sense of familiarity. We build assumptions about games based on what we know about the companies that produce them. What we think we know actually makes it harder to spot what we're not clued into at all.
Sega: Aliens vs. Predator reclassified in Australia without edits
Sega has announced its victory in the fight over whether or not Australians will get to (legally) play Aliens vs. Predator. According to a statement given to Kotaku, Sega has successfully appealed the OFLC's decision to refuse classification to the FPS and has secured the game a rating of MA-15+, which has yet to be reflected in the OFLC database. "We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever," Sega Australia general manager Darren Macbeth told Kotaku. "This is a big win for Australian gamers. We applaud the Classification Review Board on making a decision that clearly considers the context of the game, and is in line with the modern expectations of reasonable Australians". We now urge our Australian friends not to do anything that might appear even the least bit inspired by this game. If you see a ravenous, monstrous alien, let it go unblasted.
ESRB: M-rated 'SABRE Team' deploying on Wii
Move over, Modern Warfare Reflex! Soon, Wii players will have a choice of "modern" FPS. In assigning an M-rating, the ESRB has revealed a game called SABRE Team, an FPS that takes place "'behind enemy lines' in a number of Middle Eastern-style locations." The game lets players "navigate tight alleyways and corridors, secure buildings, and kill enemy forces." The publisher is listed as Collision Studios, developer of Jumper: Griffin's Story on Wii and PS2, as well as both Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 and Daisy Fuentes Pilates. Maybe, to save money, Collision will reuse some celebrity character models, and we'll see a couple of Daisy Fuenteses providing cover fire. At the very least, all the soldiers should be limber. The dev is also responsible for 300: March to Glory on PSP. The name SABRE Team was also used by a 1992 Amiga game. This could be a refresh of that series, but since the original was a strategy game and this is an FPS, even if it is based on the same source material, it'll bear little resemblance.
OFLC suggests Western release for Ninety-Nine Nights 2
Konami appears to be daring enough to localize Ninety-Nine Nights 2 -- which, we suppose, isn't too much of a surprise since it showed the courage to publish the sequel to the mediocre action title in the first place. While Konami hasn't said anything official, an OFLC rating has appeared for N32, outing at least a tentative plan to publish the game in Australia. Speculation: Konami's not going to localize the game just for Australia. Whether the announcement is good news or not depends on your faith in Feelplus (for whom this is the first action game) to deliver a better Dynasty Warriors-type game than Phantagram did. %Gallery-71570%
FTC commends ESRB and gaming industry for self-regulation practices
The Federal Trade Commission recently published a report which should simultaneously flatter the video game industry and stymie adversaries of the medium's terribly corruptive properties. In the report, the FTC says the gaming industry "outpaces" all other channels of entertainment in regards to its self-regulatory policies on marketing and advertising products which feature mature content. The report praises the ESRB's ratings system, stating that 80 percent of M-rated games sales to minors are prevented by retailers. In addition, the report found that no ads for mature games were being run before 10 p.m., adding that the Commission found little evidence of M-rated game advertisements being targeted towards minors. The only exception? That episode of Hannah Montana where Hannah traveled back in time to 15th century Italy to become a professional assassin. Admittedly, that was kind of ethically dubious.
Rebellion won't release 'sanitized' AvP in Australia
In a statement released this morning by Rebellion's Jason Kingsley, concerning the Australian Classification Board's so-called "ban" of Rebellion's Aliens vs. Predator game, the CEO expressed his studio's disappointment with the board's ruling, but added, "as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults." The subtle swipe at the Australian ratings system, which tops out at an MA15+ classification, turned into a full-on blow as Kingsley concluded, "We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices." Ouch! You feel that too, Germany? "It is for adults," Kingsley insisted of AvP, "and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent." Clearly, that's why PEGI assigned an 18-rating. Check out the box art for PAL territories that will release the game -- for adults -- come February 2010 worldwide: %Gallery-79584%
Australian Classification Board vs. Aliens vs. Predator [update]
It may not have acid blood or infrared vision, but the Australian Classification Board has won its battle against Rebellion's upcoming Aliens vs. Predator game. "The game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes," the board reports. Apparently, the game's excessive gore and violence exceeds the requirements for a MA15+ rating. Without an option for an R18+ rating, Aliens vs. Predator becomes the latest title to join the ever-growing list of essentially "banned" games in the territory. Sega is left with two options should it want to pursue an Australian release: Attempt an appeal with the board, or censor the game's content to meet Australian standards. Should AvP follow in the footsteps of the edited Left 4 Dead 2, Australian gamers should get ready to be disappointed yet again. Update: Rebellion responds. Oh snap!
OFLC rating reveals Q-Games' Reflect Missile, Nintendo publishing
Q-Games and Nintendo had a recent partnership in the release of Digidrive, but it doesn't seem like they're letting their relationship cool off any time soon. According to a new OFLC rating, Q-Games is developing -- and Nintendo is publishing -- a game called Reflect Missile. No platform was announced, but the safe money's on either a DSiWare or WiiWare release. Now, let's get to determining exactly what a "Reflect Missile" is. Is is just, like, a really shiny missile, in which one might see themselves? Or is "Reflect Missile" a command in weird, broken English? For instance, "Captain Douglass, reflect [that] missile?" Or is the command being issued directly to the missile itself -- "Reflect, Missile!" The possibilities are as endless as they are nonsensical. [Via GamerBytes]
After Burner Climax rated by OFLC and Korean board, possibly coming to PSN
Though it might lose some of its magic without the full chair-and-tinted-window-equipped arcade cabinet, we're still pretty pumped about the possibility of getting our hands on a port of Sega's classic flight combat sim, After Burner. According to the OFLC and the Korean Game Rating Board, it's only a matter of time before our wish is fulfilled -- GamerBytes recently noticed that both groups have rated Sega's After Burner Climax for home console distribution. According to the Korean board, the rating was applied for by Sony, leading some to believe the title's planned launch platform is the PSN. However, considering the multi-platform release of Outrun Online Arcade, we wouldn't be surprised if Sega decided to share the aerial dogfighting love with the 360 as well. We've contacted the hedgehog-loving developer to find out exactly what its plans are for the title.
AO-rated PC version of Manhunt 2 releasing next week
If you thought Manhunt 2 had reached the pinnacle of mature content in video games, you better guess again. The controversy-garnering title will be re-released on Direct2Drive next week for $29.99 -- only this time around, it's packing an AO rating. As those who lived through Mahuntgate surely remember, that was planned to be the original rating for the game, before the ESRB rolled up, and was all like "what? You want to stick shards of glass into another man's ear? No. No, sir." Rockstar has remained mum about what the new rating will entail, but our guess is that it will incorporate more graphic forms of violence, and perhaps a few extra dirty words. We've contacted Rockstar to get more specific details on the mature-r content, and to find out when we can expect the Early Childhood version of the game to hit store shelves. [Via Big Download]
